Wednesday, November 24, 2010

What was the North Korea hoping to gain Tuesday by firing at an inhabited South Korean island? According to the WSJ: "Privately, military officials said they believe the artillery attack on South Korea is likely linked to the North Korean succession and could be another attempt by Kim Jong Il's son, Kim Jong Eun, to shore up support among hardliners in the military." On the other hand, Bloomberg reports: "North Korea’s attack on a South Korean island, along with its disclosure of nuclear advances, is part of a strategy to draw the U.S. back to the negotiating table, analysts in the U.S. and Asia say."

Here's Jotman's timeline of recent events concerning the crisis on the Korean Peninsula.

2008 12 --- - Last Six Party Talks held with North Korea. North Korea pledges to abandon nuclear program.

2009 02 20 - Reports that Kim Jong Un next in line to rule North Korea.2009 04 --- - North Korea launches rocket, Six Party Talks terminated by US and Japan.